Roberto SIERRA (b. 1953)
Cantares (2015) [23.24]
Loíza (2014-2015) [10.56]
Triple Concerto (2015) [27.58]
Trío Arbós
Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club
Xalapa Symphony Orchestra/Lanfranco Marcelletti
rec. 2016/18 Tlaqná Hall, University of Veracruz, Mexico
Notes in English, Texts in Quechuan, Spanish with English translation
NAXOS AMERICAN CLASSICS 8.559876 [62.32]
This new release is the seventh in the
the Naxos series covering the compositional output of Puerto Rican born composer Roberto Sierra, who now resides in the USA. Until hearing this CD of some of his more recent works I was sadly unaware of him. This is a composer who walks a fine tightrope of paying tribute to older styles and forms in his compositions yet manages to avoid any sense of pastiche in his writing. His style is original and bold, yet seductive to the ear. His basic music structure is complemented by layers of colourful orchestration and in the case of Cantares, some wonderfully hypnotic choral textures.
Loíza is the earliest of the compositions on the program. It was originally commissioned by the Symphony of Eugene, (Oregon) and is inspired by the northeast Puerto Rican city. The music pays tribute to the African-Caribbean heritage of the island, with a colourful orchestration that embraces the dance rhythms that underpin all of Caribbean culture. Here the orchestra weaves its way dizzily through a percussive fiesta. There is a melismatic quality to the strings and woodwinds that give the piece an added depth. I couldn’t help moving around to the music while listening to it.
The Triple Concerto for violin, cello and piano is something much more contemporary in feel. It is a blend of the somewhat spiky and acerbic musical commentary of the trio soloists, with a more traditional carpet of sound coming from the orchestra; again perfumed with the fragrance of the Caribbean.
The most striking composition for me is the opening Cantares. This choral symphonic work pays tribute to the early histories of Peru and Mexico. The texts are based on prayers from a 17thcentury manuscript in the Quechuan language. Another movement derives from a second manuscript by a 16th century Spaniard who recounted the conquest of the Aztec empire. The orchestra and chorus blaze through the work with all of the colours of an Andesian arpillera. Don’t be fooled though; the choral music that Sierra has provided prevent this from ever feeling like just another work of musical tourism. This was definitely my favorite work on the CD.
The orchestra and chorus are under the sensitive leadership of Mr Marcelletti, who works seamlessly with them and the fine soloists of the Trío Arbós. I do hope that Naxos takes advantage of the excellent recording venue in Veracruz again. The engineers have captured everyone in clear detail with just enough of the hall’s natural resonance to give the music the luxurious feeling it requires.
After auditioning this it is time for me to investigate the previous issues in
the Sierra series.
Mike Parr
